TAMIU alum Clark to play professionally in Mexico

By Zach Davis, Laredo Morning Times

Updated 10:15 pm, Friday, September 29, 2017

Photo: Laredo Morning Times Staff File

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Former TAMIU star Jordan Clark signed professionally to play in Mexico this offseason. Clark guided the Dustdevils to a school record 22 wins in 2013-14 including a conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. less

Former TAMIU star Jordan Clark signed professionally to play in Mexico this offseason. Clark guided the Dustdevils to a school record 22 wins in 2013-14 including a conference championship and NCAA Tournament ... more

Photo: Laredo Morning Times Staff File

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Jordan Clark is one of many returning stars for Dustdevil basketball that will face the current team in the 2017 TAMIU Alumni Game Saturday at 5 p.m.

Jordan Clark is one of many returning stars for Dustdevil basketball that will face the current team in the 2017 TAMIU Alumni Game Saturday at 5 p.m.

Photo: Laredo Morning Times Staff File

TAMIU alum Clark to play professionally in Mexico

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Jordan Clark, a former star basketball player at Texas A&M International, has broken into the professional ranks.

Clark signed a contract this offseason to join the Puerto Escondido Black Eagles. He will compete in the Libassur Liga de Basquetbol Sur Sureste in Mexico.

"Jordan is one of the toughest, most athletic players we have ever had at TAMIU," Dustdevils head coach Bryan Weakley said in a release. "He grew so fast as a player because he was coachable and willing to sacrifice his game so our team could win. He is a flat-out great competitor and winner. He has been working hard for a few years to find an opportunity like this."

Competing in two seasons with the Dustdevils, Clark was named the Heartland Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2013-14, the only player in the school’s 11-year history in the league that has won that award. He is one of three alumni this offseason to sign professional contracts including former TAMIU and Laredo Swarm point guard Anthony Alston with the KK Jazine Arbanasi of the Premijer Liga in Croatia as well as Dustdevil point guard Kenny Hatch with Gijon Basket 2015 of the Liga EBA in Spain.

Although Clark only played two seasons for the Dustdevils, his final year was one of the best in school history. Clark was a senior leader for the 2013-14 TAMIU squad that won the Heartland Conference tournament championship and went on to play in the NCAA Tournament for only the second time in program history.

TAMIU finished the regular season 20-8. The group then defeated rival St. Mary’s 61-52 — avenging two regular-season overtime losses — before claiming the conference title against Texas of the Permian Basin, 76-72. Despite winning their conference, the Dustdevils got a tough draw as the No. 7 seed in their region even lower than two other Heartland Conference teams. TAMIU lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to second-seeded Tarleton State 92-56.

That season’s squad was arguably the best team the school has ever fielded. At one point, the group won 13 of 14 games on their way to a school record 22 victories. That year the 2013-14 roster set school records for points scored (2,492) and assists (1,088) while ranking second in free throws (522) and rebounds (1,088).

The lineup also played in the most dominant game in TAMIU history, obliterating Southwestern Adventist 137-67 on Dec. 7, 2013. In that game, the Dustdevils set new single-game marks for points scored, 3-pointers (18) and assists (42). Clark was one of seven players in double digits that day finishing with 15 points on 7 of 10 shooting.

Clark also played in another record-breaking game exactly one year prior. Facing off against Arlington Baptist on Dec. 7, 2012, the Dustdevils coasted to a 111-59 blowout. The group posted a record shooting percentage of 74.6 percent. Clark had a game-best 24 points and made all 11 of his shots.

Coming over to the school from Houston, Clark made an impact in his first year in 2012-13 starting 24 games at forward and finishing with 10.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest. He also had a team-high 10 blocks.

In his final season, Clark started 30 games and led the team with 12.5 points per game. He also averaged 4.7 rebounds and had 13 blocks and 47 steals. His 109 free throws were the sixth most in the TAMIU record books while his 151 free throw attempts ranked eighth.

Clark finished his career at TAMIU ranked sixth in free throws attempted (263), seventh in free throws made (173), ninth in points (386) and 10th in steals (64).

During his career, Clark was known for his high-flying ability. He won the school’s dunk contest at Maroon Madness in each of his two seasons. In 2013-14, Clark defeated future Swarm guard Kevin Jefferson Jr. in a fan vote despite not landing a single dunk due to his misses being so impressive.

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